P658-M ‘Lawin’ damage

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council yesterday reported that typhoon “Lawin” damaged more than P650 million in infrastructure and agriculture in Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator, said agricultural damage was placed at P75,855,695.49 and infrastructure at P581,945,000 for a total of P657,800,695.49.

Jalad said 29,533 families or 116,826 persons are currently staying in 1,095 evacuation centers in areas affected by Lawin.

He added that 118 barangays in Pangasinan, Bataan, and Pampanga are still flooded. Jalad expects that water levels in the flooded communities will subside as the weather improves.

Jalad added clearing operations in road sections and bridges rendered impassable are ongoing. Restoration of power supply and communication lines is also ongoing.

More than 6,000 houses were totally and partially damaged in Regions 1, 2, 3, and CAR.

Jalad said Lawin’s death toll remains at 12.

The Management of the Dead and Missing Cluster of the NDRRMC confirmed a total of eight fatalities from CAR. Jalad said the other fatalities are still being validated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to determine if it is related to Lawin. (Francis T. Wakefield)